Modular Lighting Panel

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/591,174, filed Feb. 20, 2024; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/307,924 filed Apr. 27, 2023 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,949,281 issued Apr. 2, 2024); which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/739,479 filed May 9, 2022 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,670,957 issued Jun. 6, 2023); which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/078,947, filed Oct. 23, 2020 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,329,502, issued May 10, 2022); which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/457,962, filed Jun. 29, 2019 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,820,394, issued Oct. 27, 2020); which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/656,437, filed Jul. 21, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,548,202, issued Jan. 28, 2020); which claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62/365,773, filed Jul. 22, 2016, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Light-emitting diode (LED) light sources (i.e., LED light engines) are often used in place of or as replacements for conventional incandescent, fluorescent, or halogen lamps, and the like. LED light sources may comprise a plurality of light-emitting diodes mounted on a single structure and provided in a suitable housing. LED light sources are typically more efficient and have longer operational lives as compared to incandescent, fluorescent, and halogen lamps. In order to illuminate properly, an LED driver control device (i.e., an LED driver) may be coupled to the LED light source for regulating the power supplied to the LED light source. The LED driver may regulate either the voltage provided to the LED light source, the current supplied to the LED light source, or both. Examples of LED drivers are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,492,987, issued Jul. 23, 2010, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0063047, published Mar. 14, 2013, both entitled LOAD CONTROL DEVICE FOR A LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE LIGHT SOURCE, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

As the electrical infrastructure changes to accommodate renewable energy sources (e.g., wind power, photovoltaic solar power, fuel cells, etc.), it is likely that there will be a movement towards direct current (DC) power distribution as this is the native version of generation for many of these technologies. For example, photovoltaic solar arrays generate DC power and often this is directly stored in batteries. From there, power may be drawn directly from the battery bank as direct current (DC), or it may be inverted to alternating current for use by appliances. With this anticipated move to a DC power bank, it would be desirable to use power directly as DC power rather than convert it to AC power. Many AC electrical loads actually require DC power to function and traditionally require rectification to render the AC power useful to the electrical load. Many AC electrical loads also employ active power factor correction (PFC) so as to minimize production of unwanted harmonics on the AC mains. However, the rectification and active power factor correction operations introduce an efficiency loss.

Finally, existing electrical panels (e.g., lighting panels) typically include only a minimum amount of hardware for controlling the operation of the electrical load, with most, if not all, of the power conversion and load control functionality residing remote from the panel at the electrical load. For example, electrical panels typically provide AC mains voltage to attached electrical loads, and the electrical loads typically include the required processors, converters, and controls necessary to convert the received AC mains voltage into appropriate driving voltages for the electrical loads. For instance, typical light fixtures include not only the light emitting elements themselves, but also the hardware and software (e.g., LED driver, ballast, etc.) required to convert the received AC mains voltage into a driving voltage for the lighting load. This tends to result in expensive and bulky lighting fixtures.

Systems and methods described herein provide examples of a load control system that includes an electrical panel (e.g., a modular electrical panel), where the electrical panel is configured to control a plurality of electrical loads. The electrical panel may include a control circuit, memory, and a communication circuit. The electrical panel may include one or more of an alternating current (AC) line feed, a direct current (DC) line feed, or a battery bank feed. The AC line feed may be connected to an AC power source, while the DC line feed may be connected to a DC power source (e.g., one or more alternative energy devices, such as, but not limited to: a photovoltaic (PV) system, a wind turbine system, a hydroelectric system, etc.), and the battery bank feed may be connected to a bank of batteries. The electrical panel may be, for example, a lighting panel, and the plurality of electrical loads may include at least lighting loads (e.g., LED light engines). The electrical panel may be, for example, a shading panel, and the plurality of electrical loads may include at least motorized window treatments.

The electrical panel may also include a plurality of power supplies and a plurality of control modules, where more than one control module may be associated with each of the plurality of power supplies. Each power supply may be configured to receive AC power and provide DC power, while one or more of the power supplies may also be configured to receive DC input and output a converted version of the received DC power. Each control module may be configured to receive DC power from an associated power supply and provide an output voltage to at least one electrical load. The control module may provide an output voltage that is regulated to provide power for operation and control of an associated electrical load, or the control module may provide an output voltage that is then received by an accessory module at the electrical load, where the accessory module performs the final stages of regulation and/or control for powering the electrical load. As such, the electrical panel provides flexibility as to whether each stage of conversion, regulation, and/or control is performed at a control module located within the electrical panel, or performed at an accessory module located at an electrical load.

The electrical panel may be configured to provide DC power from the battery bank feed to at least one electrical load during an emergency situation, for example, thereby eliminating the need for local and/or dedicated batteries to be located at the electrical load for emergency power. The electrical panel may further comprise a grid-tie inverter, which may provide for an electrical connection from the DC line feed (e.g., and in turn a DC power source) to the AC line feed (e.g., and in turn an AC electrical grid). As such, the control circuit of the electrical panel may be configured to feed DC power to an electrical grid via the AC line feed. Further, the control circuit may be configured to determine whether to provide, to at least one power supply, AC power from the AC line feed or DC power from the DC line feed, for example, based on one or more factors described herein (e.g., time-of-day pricing of AC power from the electrical grid).

2 1 1 2 1 1 One or more of the power supplies may be multi-feed power supplies. For example, one or more of the power supplies may be configured to operate an electrical load when receiving AC power from the AC line feed using an AC input on the power supply, and configured to operate the electrical load when receiving DC power from the DC line feed using a DC input on the power supply. Control modules may be configured to output different Classes of power (e.g., Low Voltage Class, Low Voltage Class, High Voltage Class, etc.). For example, a first control module may be configured to output a first Class of power, and a second control module may be configured to output a second Class of power, the second Class being different from the first Class. Further, one or more of the power supplies may be configured to determine whether they are operating a Low Power Classpower supply, a Low Power Classpower supply, or a High Power Classpower supply, based on one or more of a measured current on a link to the electrical load, a measured voltage on a link to the electrical load, a measured power on a link to the electrical load, or feedback from the electrical load.

One or more of the control modules may be configured to provide DC power and communications over a two-wire link to an electrical load. For example, a control module may be configured to provide communications by injecting a timing window within a DC voltage, the timing window being characterized by one of four offsets, where each offset corresponds to a different data transmission (e.g., “00”, “01”, “10”, or “11”).

1 FIG. 100 100 102 102 104 105 106 107 150 160 102 is a simplified block diagram of an example load control system. The load control systemmay comprise an electrical panel (e.g., a lighting panel) and one or more electrical loads. The lighting panelmay include a panel control circuit(e.g., a panel controller), memory, a communication circuit, a lighting panel power supply, one or more power supplies (e.g., AC/DC power converters), and one or more control modules. The electrical loads may include one or more lighting loads, such as, but not limited to, LED light enginesand one or more motorized window treatments. Accordingly, the lighting panelmay provide power and control for a plurality of different types of electrical loads.

102 150 150 150 150 The lighting panelmay control the amount of power delivered to an electrical load, such as an LED light engine, and thus the intensity of the light engine. An LED light enginemay include a single LED or a plurality of LEDs connected in series, in parallel, or in a suitable combination thereof, depending on the particular lighting system. An LED light enginemay comprise one or more organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The LED light enginemay also include a resistor and/or low dropout regulator (LDR) that regulates/offsets the current through the LEDs.

160 160 160 160 160 160 The motorized window treatmentsmay each comprise, for example, a cellular shade, a roller shade, a drapery, a Roman shade, a Venetian blind, a Persian blind, a pleated blind, a tensioned roller shade system, or other suitable motorized window covering. The motorized window treatmentsmay each comprise a motor drive unit (not shown) for adjusting the position of a covering material of the motorized window treatment, for example, to control the amount of daylight entering the space. The motor drive unit of each motorized window treatmentmay be configured to receive digital messages via wired or wireless signals and to control the amount of daylight entering the space in response to the received digital messages. The motorized window treatmentsmay each have an antenna mounted for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals. The motor drive unit of each motorized window treatmentmay receive power from an external DC power supply.

102 132 134 133 102 102 132 132 102 134 133 102 104 The lighting panelmay include input terminals for an AC line feed, a DC line feed, and/or a battery bank feedproviding power to the lighting panel. For example, the lighting panelmay receive power from the AC line feedthat may provide a three-phase AC mains input voltage from an AC power source (not shown). The AC line feedmay receive the AC input voltage via a main breaker or directly from the grid. Alternatively, or additionally, the lighting panelmay receive power from the DC line feedand/or the battery bank feedthat may provide a DC input voltage from a DC power source (not shown). For example, the DC power source may include one or more alternative energy devices, such as, but not limited to: a photovoltaic (PV) system, a wind turbine system, a hydroelectric system, etc. The DC power source may also include a battery bank. If the lighting panelis connected to both an AC power source and a DC power source, the panel control circuitmay be configured to determine how much power to receive (i.e., draw) from the AC power supply, and how much power to receive from the DC power supply, based on one or more factors (e.g., variables), such as time-of-day pricing (e.g., of the AC power supply), availability of power from either supply, external conditions (e.g., environmental conditions, price index, time of day, etc.), and/or the like.

102 102 102 102 102 102 102 102 100 102 102 102 1 FIG. The lighting panelmay include a portion or the entirety of each of a plurality of load control devices (e.g., where a load control device may include a combination of a power supply and a control module). In instances where the lighting panelincludes a portion of a load control device, the remaining portions may reside remote from the lighting panel(e.g., at the electrical load). For example, the lighting panelmay include various parts or stages of an LED driver used to control an LED light engine. The lighting panelmay include one or more LED drivers in their entirety and/or one or more varying portions of other LED drivers. As such, the lighting panelmay be modular and include select stages of power conversion and control (e.g., dimming control) in the lighting panelitself for each of a plurality of electrical loads and electrical load types. For example, expensive and/or complicated control techniques (e.g., power conversion techniques aimed at reducing switching loss) may be implemented in the lighting panelto reduce the costs and/or complexity of the individual light fixtures (and in turn the entire light control system). The lighting panelmay output DC power to at least some of the connected electrical loads, and as such, provide for DC power distribution (e.g., versus AC power distribution) from the panel to the loads. The example lighting panelofis just one of many configurations that may be taken by the lighting panel.

102 134 132 104 102 4 FIG. The lighting panelmay include one or more power supplies and one or more control modules. The power supplies may perform power conversion (e.g., from an AC input to a DC output) and/or power factor correction (PFC) to adjust the power factor towards a power factor of one. For example, the power supplies may each include an AC/DC converter and a PFC circuit. The AC/DC converter may be in the form of a rectifier circuit. Alternatively, the power supply may not include an AC/DC converter (e.g., a rectifier circuit), for example, if the power supply is connected to the DC line feedand not the AC line feed. The PFC circuit may include a boost converter, a buck converter, a buck-boost converter, a flyback converter, a linear regulator, or a combination of a switching regulator and a linear regulator. The boost converter of the power supply may receive a rectified voltage VRECT and generate a boosted DC bus voltage VBUS across a bus capacitor CBUS (e.g., an electrolytic capacitor). The power supply may provide the DC bus voltage VBUS to one or more control modules. The power supply and the control modules may also communicate with one another over the DC bus (e.g., in accordance with the communication protocol described with reference to). A power supply may include a dedicated control circuit or be entirely controlled by the panel control circuitof the lighting panel.

102 104 102 104 102 The lighting panelmay include a plurality of different power supplies that output a plurality of different power-limited DC bus voltages VBUS (e.g., 100 W limited, 500 W limited, 750 W limited, 4,500 W limited, and/or the like). The power supplies may include their own control circuit (e.g., microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or analog IC) and/or use the panel control circuitof the lighting panel. Further, the power supplies may include a radio-frequency interference (RFI) filter circuit that minimizes RF noise on the AC mains or the DC mains. The power supplies may also include snubbing circuits that reduce switching losses of the AC/DC converters, such as lossless snubbers. Further, when not in use, the power supplies may reside in a sleep state (e.g., when the power supply comprises its own control circuit) or a complete off state (e.g., when the power supply does not include its own control circuit and uses the panel control circuitof the lighting panel).

102 108 110 112 132 104 104 The lighting panelmay, for example, include AC/DC power supplies, such as an AC/DC power supply, an AC/DC power converter, and/or an AC/DC power converter. The AC/DC power supplies may receive AC line voltage from the AC line feed. The AC/DC power supplies may output DC power (e.g., the DC bus voltage VBUS) to one or more control modules. Further, the AC/DC power supplies may receive one or more control signals from the panel control circuitand/or from one or more input devices for controlling the operation and output voltages of the AC/DC power supplies (e.g., via internal control circuits of the power supplies). The AC/DC power supplies may also send command signals (e.g., wired or wireless control signals) to one or more control modules or electrical loads for controlling operational characteristics (e.g., pulse-width modulated (PWM) duty cycle, intensity, color, temperature, fade rate, etc.) of the control modules or the electrical loads. Further, the AC/DC power supplies may send feedback signals to the panel control circuitrelating to the operation of the power supplies themselves, and/or the control modules or the electrical loads.

108 110 112 110 102 102 160 The power supplies may be rated for any electrical class, for example, Class 1 or Class 2 power supplies. For example, the AC/DC power supplymay be a Class 2 power supply that receives 100-277 VAC and outputs 24V/48V DC. Class 2 power supplies may, for example, be limited to 60V DC and 100 W. The AC/DC convertersmay be a Low Voltage Class 1 power supply (e.g., limited to 15A, 60V, and 750 W), while the AC/DC convertermay be a High Voltage Class 1 power supply (e.g., limited to 10A, 450V, and 4,500 W). The AC/DC convertermay receive 100-277 VAC, perform power factor correction via a PFC circuit (e.g., a boost converter or flyback converter), and output 24V/48V DC. The power supplies of the lighting panelare not limited to Class 1 and Class 2 power supplies, but may also be rated as other UL or IEC classifications as required by particular local regulations. Additionally, the lighting panel systemmay provide power and control signals to motorized shading equipment, such as motorized window treatments.

104 102 104 104 104 104 104 The power supplies and/or the panel control circuitof the lighting panelmay be configured to determine the rated class type of a power supply (e.g., Low Voltage Class 2, Low Voltage Class 1, High Voltage Class 1, etc.). The determination may be made, for example, based on the control modules and/or electrical loads that are connected to the power supply, and in turn, the desired operational characteristics of the power supply. For example, the power supply (e.g., or the panel control circuit) may be configured to measure the amount of current, voltage, and/or power requested on the link, e.g., at the output terminals of the power supply, to determine its desired class type. Alternatively or additionally, a control module and/or electrical load (e.g., an accessory module located at the electrical load) may communicate (e.g., by transmitting a message) to the power supply and/or panel control circuitindicating its power requirements, such as an amount of power needed, type of dimming required, etc. The power supply may then be configured (e.g., by the panel control circuit) to control (e.g., limit) its output power accordingly (e.g., operate as a Low Voltage Class 2 power supply, a Low Voltage Class 1 power supply, a High Voltage Class 1 power supply, etc.). The power supply may also be configured to provide an alert and/or report back to the panel control circuitupon determining its class type. Further, the panel control circuitmay be configured to adjust the class type of a power supply after installation.

104 For example, a power supply may be initially configured to operate as a Class 1 power supply (e.g., a High Voltage Class 1 power supply), and later be configured (e.g., by the panel control circuit) to operate as another class of power supply (e.g., as a Low Voltage Class 2 power supply provided that the proper compliance with the relevant standards exists).

102 134 Although described with reference to AC/DC power supplies, the lighting panelmay include DC power converters that receive direct DC voltage from the DC line feedand output 24V/48V DC, for example. Further, one or more of the power supplies may be configured to receive an AC input and a DC input, for example, such that the power supply is configured to operate in an AC mode when the input voltage is an AC voltage and in a DC mode when the input voltage is a DC voltage. An example of a power supply that is configured to operate in an AC mode and a DC mode is described herein.

102 108 110 112 102 124 126 104 104 104 104 The lighting panelmay comprise a plurality of control modules for every power supply (e.g., the AC/DC power supply, the AC/DC power converter, and/or the AC/DC power converter). The lighting panelmay also include physical and/or electrical circuit protection that may be located before the power supply, such as breakers, and/or after the control module, such as breakers. Additionally, output breakers may be configured as electronic breakers whose operating characteristics are adjusted via panel control circuitor a separate control circuit. A plurality of different types of control modules may be connected to a single power supply, and each control module may be individually controllable (e.g., by the power supply and/or the panel control circuit). Further, the power supply and/or the panel control circuitmay address each control module uniquely, for example, depending on the functions performed by that control module (e.g., color changing, emergency, zoning, etc.). Additionally, the control modules may communicate information back to the power supply and/or the panel control circuit. For example, the control modules may receive approval from the power supply before fully powering on its electrical load (e.g., to prevent overloading the power supply or exceeding the regulatory requirement for the particular class installation).

102 150 160 150 160 102 114 116 152 118 154 102 102 The lighting panelcomprises a plurality of types of control modules including, for example, control modules for driving LED light engines, control modules for driving a motorized window treatment, and control modules for providing digital communication to an electrical load. The control modules may receive DC power from a power supply and provide controlled power to the electrical load (e.g., power to a LED light engine, power to a motorized window treatments, power to an accessory module remote from the lighting panel, and/or the like). A control module may output the proper power for operation and control of an electrical load, such as the driver module, or the control module may operate in tandem with an accessory module located at the electrical load (e.g., an isolated low voltage converterin combination with an accessory module, or a fault detect and branch circuitin combination with an accessory module), such that the two in combination provide the proper power for operation and control of the electrical load. As such, the lighting panelprovides for a modular architecture that allows for select functionality to be performed within the lighting paneland other functionality to be performed at the accessory module located at the electrical load.

102 102 114 102 In additional to modularity, efficiency gains may be realized through use of the lighting panel. For example, the control module in the lighting panel may output high voltage (e.g., 450V) to an electrical load, which may be more efficient than distribution at lower voltages (e.g., 277V). Further, in instances where the output of the control module in the lighting panelis lower than typical line voltage (e.g., Class 2 scenarios, such as the output of the driver module), the power loss at the electrical load may be reduced, the load may run cooler and in turn last longer, and the electrical loads may not require as much hardware/software located at the load itself, resulting in the load being smaller and more lightweight. If the power supply receives DC input, the design of the power supply and/or control modules may be simplified (e.g., without PFC-related circuitry), and end-to-end efficiency may be enhanced. Moreover, having a centrally located lighting panelwithin a facility makes maintenance and service easier.

104 104 102 104 102 The control modules may output controlled DC power or controlled AC power, depending on the configuration. The control modules may control the output power in accordance with a received command signal from a control circuit (e.g., such as the panel control circuit), a connected power supply, a wireless control signal received from an input device, and/or feedback from the electrical load (e.g., temperature, light output, power, color, etc.). The control modules may also provide feedback data to the power supply and/or the panel control circuitof the lighting panel(e.g., feedback data relating to the electrical load, the input power of the control module, intensity level of a connected light source, load failure conditions, sensor statuses, lumen levels, etc.). A control module may include a dedicated control circuit, or may be controlled by the panel control circuitof the lighting paneland/or a control circuit of the associated power supply.

114 114 108 150 114 150 150 114 114 150 150 114 150 One example control module is the driver module. The driver modulereceives a DC bus voltage VBUS from the AC/DC power supply, and provides a regulated DC voltage (e.g., a PWM DC voltage, a constant voltage DC signal, or a DC level with an imposed communication signal etc.) to the LED light engine. For example, the driver modulemay include a load regulation circuit that receives the bus voltage VBUS and controls the amount of power delivered to the LED light engine, for example, to control the intensity of the LED light enginebetween a low-end (i.e., minimum) intensity LLE (e.g., approximately 0.1-5%) and a high-end (i.e., maximum) intensity LHE (e.g., approximately 100%). The driver modulemay also include additional circuity, such as a current sense circuit and/or a voltage sense circuit. Since the driver moduleprovides a regulated voltage to the LED light engine, the LED light enginethat is connected to the driver modulemay include a minimum amount of hardware and/or software, thereby reducing the cost, size, and complexity of the fixture. For example, the LED light enginemay include (e.g., only include) a single LED or a plurality of LEDs, a resistor, and a low drop-out (LDO) regulator that regulates the current through the LEDs.

114 102 116 118 152 154 102 150 102 102 108 114 150 In other examples, some or all of the functionality of the driver modulemay be split between a control module located in the lighting panel(e.g., the isolated low voltage converter, the fault detect and branch circuit, or the like) and an accessory module located at the electrical load (e.g., the accessory modulesand). As such, the lighting panelprovides for a modular design where an electrical load (e.g., LED light engine) may include a varying degree of regulation circuitry, while the remaining portions may reside within a control module located within the lighting panelitself. Additionally, and although not illustrated, the lighting panelmay include a power supply and the electrical load may include the entirety of the control module (e.g., within the same housing/fixture). For example, the lighting panel may include the AC/DC power supply, and the voltage driver modulemay be implemented as an accessory module located at the LED light engine(e.g., within the same housing/fixture).

116 152 114 116 152 150 116 118 154 118 114 102 Further, such modularity of control modules allows for both Class 1 and Class 2 configurations of electrical loads. For example, together, the isolated low voltage converterand the accessory modulemay include all of the functionality of a LED driver module (e.g., the driver module). The isolated low voltage convertermay, for example, include an isolated converter (e.g., a transformer) and a current sense circuit, and the accessory modulemay include back end regulation at the LED light source. As such, the isolated low voltage convertermay output voltage in accordance with Low Voltage Class 2 requirements. As another example, the fault detect and branch circuitmay include fault detection and regulation circuits, and the accessory modulemay include the converter. In such a configuration, the fault detect and branch circuitmay output voltage in accordance with High Voltage Class 1 requirements (e.g., 450V). These are just two non-limiting examples of how a control module (e.g., the driver module) may be split between a control module located within the lighting paneland an accessory module located at the electrical load.

102 102 120 122 120 160 170 170 120 106 122 150 122 106 The lighting panelmay also include one or more control modules for providing digital communication to an electrical load (e.g., communication modules). For example, the lighting panelmay include one or more device control modulesand/or accessory communication modules. The device control modulemay provide communication over a dedicated communication line to one or more electrical loads (e.g., motorized window treatments) to control operational characteristics of the electrical load (e.g., raise, lower, zoning information, unique identifier, etc.). A sensor/keypad modulemay receive wired or wireless digital signals from sensors and/or keypads, and the sensor/keypad modulemay send digital commands to the device control module(e.g., via the communication circuit) to control the electrical loads. The accessory communication modulemay provide communication over a dedicated communication line to one or more electrical loads (e.g., LED light engines) to control operational characteristics of the electrical load (e.g., intensity, color, temperature, fade rate, zoning information, unique identifier, etc.). The accessory communication modulemay receive digital commands via the communication circuit.

102 104 150 152 154 102 108 114 104 4 FIG. The lighting panel(e.g., the panel control circuit, a power supply, and/or a control module) may provide both data and power to an electrical load, such as an LED light engineor accessory module,, using a single line (e.g., two wires). The electrical load may be uniquely addressed such that individualized control of and/or communication with the electrical load may be performed. For example, the lighting panelmay perform a form of power line communication (PLC) when providing DC power to the electrical load, and/or perform modulate a DC voltage to provide communication when powering an electrical load with DC power. An example form of DC power and communication that may be provided over two wires is provided in, which for example, may be used when the power supply is operating as a Class 2 power supply (e.g., AC/DC power supplyand the voltage driver module). Alternately, the PLC communication over the DC power wires may use techniques such as current carrier signals or high frequency modulated signals to communicate digital information between the lighting loads and the communication circuit.

102 102 142 102 144 102 146 102 148 160 The lighting panelmay also include additional control modules and/or power supplies. For example, the lighting panelmay include a 0-10V dimming modulethat provides 0-10V dimming commands to one or more line voltage electrical loads. The lighting panelmay also include a phase adaptive moduleused to provide phase controlled AC voltage to one or more voltage loads (e.g., incandescent lamps or phase-dimmable LED lamps). Further, the lighting panelmay include a switching modulethat may provide traditional on/off switching control for one or more electrical loads. Finally, the lighting panelmay include a shade power supply modulethat may provide power and zoning to multiple motorized window treatments(not illustrated).

104 132 134 133 102 135 104 102 104 150 104 The panel control circuitmay be configured to control the operation of the power supplies and or control modules to selective provide power drawn from the AC line feed, from the DC line feed, and/or from the battery bank feed. For example, the lighting panelmay include a switching circuit configured to switch between directing AC power or DC power to one or more power supplies, the power supplies themselves may receive both AC power and DC power and be configured to switch between the use of AC power or DC power, or the grid-tie invertermay be configured to direct AC power or DC power to one or more power supplies, for example, based on one or more factors described herein. For example, in each instance, the control circuitmay control the switching between the use of AC power or DC power by the one or more power supplies. This allows the lighting panelto selectively use power from a particular source based on a variety of conditions, such as, but not limited to, during AC mains power failure, during times of peak demand reduction, when substantial alternate power is available from a PV array, etc. Additionally, this selective direction of power to the electrical loads may be used to accomplish the requirements of emergency power sourcing to particular lighting loads as required by certain national building codes. This system is advantageous in managing the source of emergency power in that is configurable after the installation of the system rather than requiring fixture outfitting with emergency power during the design and installation phase of a project. In addition to controlling the switch between the use of AC power or DC power by a power supply, the control circuitmay control one or more characteristics of the electrical loads (e.g., the intensity level of an LED light engine) based on whether a power supply is receiving AC power or DC power. For example, the control circuitmay lower the intensity (e.g., high-end intensity) of one or more lighting load when using DC power (e.g., only DC power).

104 104 104 104 The panel control circuitmay be configured to control the operation of the power supplies and/or the control modules, for example, in response to a user command received via one or more input devices. For example, if a power supply and/or control module includes a dedicated control circuit, then the panel control circuitmay manage the operation of the control circuit of the power supply and/or the control module, and the control circuit of the power supply may control the internal operation of the power supply and/or associated control module(s) (e.g., and when configured, the control circuit of the control module may control the internal operation of the control module). If, however, the power supply does not include a dedicated control circuit, then the panel control circuitmay control the internal operation of the power supply and/or associated control module(s). The panel control circuitmay comprise, for example, a digital controller or any other suitable processing device, such as, for example, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).

104 105 105 105 102 107 104 102 107 132 134 133 108 110 112 109 104 102 The panel control circuitmay comprise and/or be coupled to memory. The memorymay include one or more components of volatile and/or non-volatile memory, in any combination. The memorymay store operational characteristics of the components of the lighting panel. The lighting panel power supplymay generate a direct-current (DC) supply voltage Vcc for powering the panel control circuitand the other low-voltage circuitry of the lighting panel. The lighting panel power supplymay be coupled to the AC line feed, the DC line feed, the battery bank feed, and/or a power supply (e.g., AC/DC power supply,,) via the electrical connections. The panel control circuitmay be connected to and configured to control any combination of components (e.g., all components) of the lighting panel.

106 102 138 136 106 The communication circuitof the lighting panelmay be coupled to a gateway deviceand/or one or more data terminals, which for example, may include a network link (e.g., Ethernet port), a digital communication link, a Digital Multiplex (DMX) link, etc. The communication circuitmay be configured to communicate via a wireless communication link, such as a radio-frequency (RF) communication link or an infrared (IR) communication link.

100 102 166 162 164 170 172 174 180 182 166 102 104 106 170 172 174 The load control systemmay comprise one or more input devices, such that the lighting panelis configured to receive user inputs, transmit digital messages, and/or receive digital messages via the input devices. The digital messages may be transmitted via wired (e.g., through a wired communication link) or wireless signals (e.g., the RF signals). For example, the input devices may include one or more of an access point or hub, a wireless sensor(e.g., an occupancy/vacancy sensor, a daylight sensor, etc.), a wireless keypad(e.g., a battery-powered handheld remote control device), a sensor/keypad module, a wired sensor(e.g., an occupancy/vacancy sensor, a daylight sensor, etc.), a visual display remote control device(e.g., a dynamic keypad), a wireless mobile device, a web interface, a wall-mounted remote control device (not shown), etc. The access point or hubmay be configured to transmit and receive wired and wireless signals, and may include a network connection to the lighting panel(e.g., the panel control circuitand/or the communication circuit) and may act as a standard protocol (e.g., Wi-Fi) access point and/or a proprietary protocol (e.g., the ClearConnect® protocol) access point for one or more input devices and/or electrical loads. The sensor/keypad modulemay include a QS link to one or more wire devices, such as the wired sensorand the visual display remote control device, and may be configured to communicate wirelessly using a proprietary protocol (e.g., the ClearConnect® protocol).

The digital messages may include information such as a command, a query, and/or identifying information. For example, the digital messages transmitted by the input device may include a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number) associated with the transmitting input device. The wireless signals carrying the digital messages may be transmitted at a certain communication frequency or frequency range fRF (e.g., approximately 434 MHz, 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, or 5.6 GHZ). The transmission may utilize a proprietary communication protocol, such as the ClearConnect® protocol, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, ZIGBEE, Z-WAVE, KNX-RF, ENOCEAN RADIO, and/or a different proprietary protocol.

100 102 104 108 110 112 114 116 118 120 122 152 154 160 100 102 The input devices may be assigned to one or more components of the load control system(e.g., the lighting panel, the panel control circuit, a power supply (e.g., AC/DC power supply, an AC/DC power converter, and/or an AC/DC power converter), a control module (e.g., control module,, or, communication moduleor), an accessory module (e.g., the accessory moduleor), and/or a motorized window treatment) during a configuration procedure of the load control system, such that the load control system, e.g., the lighting panel, may be responsive to digital messages transmitted by the input devices. Examples of methods of associating control devices are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0111491, published May 15, 2008, entitled RADIO-FREQUENCY LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0214609, published Aug. 22, 2013, entitled TWO-PART LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM MOUNTABLE TO A SINGLE ELECTRICAL WALLBOX; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/830,237, filed Mar. 14, 2013, entitled COMMISSIONING LOAD CONTROL SYSTEMS; the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

106 102 138 138 138 138 102 138 100 138 138 102 100 104 100 138 The communication circuitof the lighting panelmay be connected to the gateway device(e.g., a bridge) and may be configured to enable communication with a network, such as a wireless network and/or wired local area network (LAN). The gateway devicemay be connected to a router (not shown) via a wired digital communication link (e.g., an Ethernet communication link). The router may allow for communication with the network, e.g., for access to the Internet. The gateway devicemay be wirelessly connected to the network, e.g., using Wi-Fi technology. The gateway devicemay be configured to transmit the RF signals to one or more components of the lighting paneland/or an accessory module for controlling the respective electrical loads in response to digital messages received from external devices via the network. The transmission may use a proprietary protocol described herein. The gateway devicemay be configured to receive digital messages from the accessory modules of the load control system(e.g., via the RF signals and/or using a proprietary protocol). The gateway devicemay be configured to transmit digital messages via the network for providing data (e.g., status information) to external devices. The gateway devicemay operate as a central controller for the lighting panel, or may relay digital messages between the accessory modules of the load control systemand the network. For example, feedback and/or reports may be received (e.g., by the panel control circuit) from the accessory modules of the load control systemand sent over the network (e.g., via the gateway device) to a user.

102 138 104 102 100 102 100 102 100 100 100 The lighting panelmay be in communication with a system administration (e.g., a system administrator server) via the gateway device. For example, the panel control circuitmay be configured to provide a report relating to the operation and/or configuration of the lighting paneland/or other components of the lighting control systemto the system administrator. Further, the system administrator may be able to configure one or more components of the lighting paneland/or other components of the lighting control systemfrom a remote location. A report may include one or more notification, alerts, or summaries relating to a failed component, a reconfigured component (e.g., change of rated class of a power supply), an additional load being connected to the lighting panel, operation of the grid-tie inverter, a switch between AC-DC or vice versa, digital messages sent/received within the lighting system, demands of the lighting system, commissioning of components of the lighting system, etc.

180 180 138 180 The wireless mobile device(e.g., a network device) may include a smart phone (e.g., an iPhone® smart phone, an Android® smart phone, or a Blackberry® smart phone), a personal computer, a laptop, a wireless-capable media device (e.g., MP3 player, gaming device, or television), a tablet device (e.g., an iPad® hand-held computing device), a Wi-Fi or wireless-communication-capable television, or any other suitable Internet-Protocol-enabled device. For example, the wireless mobile devicemay be configured to transmit RF signals to the gateway devicevia a Wi-Fi communication link, a Wi-MAX communications link, a Bluetooth® communications link, a near field communication (NFC) link, a cellular communications link, a television white space (TVWS) communication link, or any combination thereof. Examples of lighting systems operable to communicate with wireless mobile deviceson a network are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0030589, published Jan. 31, 2013, entitled LOAD CONTROL DEVICE HAVING INTERNET CONNECTIVITY, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

102 135 102 135 134 102 102 132 102 134 133 135 104 104 150 102 The lighting panelmay also include a combination grid-tie inverter/battery charger. Alternatively, the lighting panelmay not include the grid-tie inverter/battery charger(e.g., the load control system may include a grid-tie inverter external to the lighting panel), and may include a single DC line feed (e.g., the DC line feed). With either configuration, a connection may be provided for tying the lighting panelback to the AC power grid so that the lighting panelmay feed excess power back to the grid (e.g., via the AC line feed). For example, the lighting panelmay use a portion of the DC power that is received from the DC power source (e.g., via the DC line feedand/or via the battery bank feed) for powering one or more electrical loads, and sell any remaining DC power back to the grid via the grid-tie inverter. The panel control circuitmay determine how much DC power to use versus to sell back to the grid based on one or more factors (e.g., environmental conditions, price index of the AC power, time of day, etc.). Further, the panel control circuitmay decide to lower the power provided to one or more electrical loads (e.g., dim one or more LED light engines) based on the amount of received DC power, potentially within a window of acceptance and/or based on one or more of the factors, such that the lighting panellimits the amount of received AC power (e.g., potentially doesn't receive any AC power).

102 132 134 133 135 102 133 134 102 150 104 104 135 102 The lighting panelmay be connected to an AC power supply via the AC line feed, to a DC power supply via the DC line feed, and to a battery bank via the battery bank feed. The grid-tie inverter/battery chargerof the lighting panelmay be connected to a battery bank via the battery bank feedand/or to a DC power source (e.g., an alternative energy source, such as a PV power supply) via the DC line feed. The lighting panelmay provide power to any one or more of the electrical loads during any emergency situation (e.g., to power one or more LED light engines) using energy stored in the battery bank. Therefore, the panel control circuitmay configure any of the connected electrical loads to operate as an emergency device (e.g., emergency lighting) during an emergency situation, for example, after installation and without having to connect dedicated batteries to a specific electrical load or to each electrical load. Further, the panel control circuitmay be configured to recharge the battery bank via the grid-tie inverter/battery chargerusing the DC power source and/or the AC power source, for example, such that the battery bank does not need replenishment. Alternatively or additionally, the lighting panelmay use DC power received from the DC power supply and/or the battery bank directly to power the electrical loads in emergency situations, for example, with the use of the battery bank or a site based generation facility.

100 100 102 152 154 180 100 100 150 152 154 100 180 100 102 102 102 102 102 The load control systemmay be configured (e.g., programmed) through a commissioning procedure. For example, the devices of the load control system(e.g., the control modules of the lighting panel, the accessory modules,, the input devices, etc.) may be associated with one another, for example, through a commissioning procedure. A combination of communication features may be used to create an intuitive and simple way to accomplish the commissioning aspects of an addressable lighting system. The mobile devicemay be used to commission the load control system. For example, the load control systemmay include a plurality of lighting fixtures (e.g., the LED light engineshaving accessory modules,), where each of the lighting fixtures are individually addressable, and as such, the load control systemmay be installed and configured to the particular application with little regard (e.g., restriction) to the actual wiring structure utilized. The mobile devicemay be used to perform zoning of fixtures after installation and without having to rewire the load control system. For example, the lighting panelmay be configured to control (e.g., simultaneously control) a plurality of lighting fixtures that abut a row of windows in a building together to accomplish a daylight harvesting function, even though the lighting fixtures are not wired together. For instance, the lighting panelmay store and utilize a unique address to control the behavior of each lighting fixture. Further, the lighting panelmay store a database relating the particular behavior of each of the electrical loads in a space for a variety of control inputs. The lighting panelmay use the database to determine the relationships and commands for each power supply and control module (e.g., for zoning, daylight harvesting, etc.), and the lighting panelmay create the database during the commissioning process.

102 The lighting panelmay perform commissioning in such a manner as to reduce the time and labor typically required to associate multiple electrical loads with one or more controls.

150 152 154 180 102 114 122 106 102 180 180 180 102 102 102 For example, the electrical loads (e.g., the LED light fixtures) may include a radio beacon (not shown), such as a Bluetooth beacon. Each radio beacon may include a radio transmitter and ultimately provides addressability for an electrical load. In addition, the accessory modules,may be configured to transmit a beacon signal. The radio beacon in the electrical load may broadcast a unique identifier of the radio beacon (e.g., serial number) via radio signals that may be received by the mobile device. The electrical loads may include a wired or wireless connection back to the lighting panel, for example, to a control module (e.g., the driver module), communication module, and/or communication circuit. The lighting panelmay create a database relating to how to group electrical loads based on the received signal strength of the broadcast signal (e.g., and in turn, the proximity of the radio beacon to the mobile device). The database may be created during the commissioning process and used to determine the behavior for a plurality of loads in a particular space. To create the database, the mobile devicemay receive and determine a signal strength and unique identifier of a radio beacon. Using the receiving signal strength, the mobile devicemay group or associated one or more electrical loads together for commissioning purposes in the database. After the association of electrical load and radio beacon is established and stored in the database of the lighting panel, the lighting panelmay control a group of electrical loads together based on the identification information of each electrical load and/or associated control function, for example, via a wireless or a wired communication channel between lighting paneland the electrical load. Examples of systems that perform commissioning and example commissioning procedures are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/279,409, filed Jan. 15, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/326,466, filed Apr. 22, 2016, both entitled COMMISSIONING LOAD CONTROL SYSTEMS, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

102 108 110 112 102 114 116 118 104 102 104 104 The lighting panelmay include additional power supplies (e.g., N+1 power supplies) of a particular type, such as the AC/DC power supplies, the AC/DC power converters, and/or the AC/DC power converters. Further, the lighting panelmay include additional control modules (e.g., N+1 control modules) of a particular type, such as the driver modules, the isolated low voltage converters, or the fault detect and branch circuits. In such instances, the panel control circuitof the lighting panelmay be configured to switch-in (e.g., automatically switch-in) a power supply or control module if a power supply or control module were to fail. For example, the panel control circuitmay be configured to detect that a power supply or control module has failed or was in danger of failing, and upon such a determination, the panel control circuitmay reroute the circuit through an additional power supply or control module so the failure does not cause an interruption of power (e.g., an extended disruption of power) to the electrical load. As such, the electrical load(s) receiving power from the failed power supply or control module would not lose power for an extended period or not lose power at all, depending on the detection time and/or the switch-in time for the additional power supply or control module.

104 102 Further, the panel control circuitmay be configured to provide a notification, for example, to a system administrator, if a power supply or control module were to fail. Accordingly, the system administrator may replace the failed power supply or control module within the lighting panelwithout having to take any electrical loads offline.

2 FIG. 1 FIG. 200 208 214 208 108 214 114 200 104 102 107 102 208 214 208 208 107 is a simplified block diagram of a systemincluding an example power supplyand an example control moduleof the load control system of. The power supplyis an example of the power supply, and the control moduleis an example of the driver module. Also illustrated in the systemis the panel control circuitof the lighting paneland power supplyof the lighting panel, but the specific configuration of these components with respect to the power supplyand control moduleis an example configuration. Further, it should be noted that the power supplymay also include memory and a communication circuit, and/or the power supplymay include a dedicated internal power supply instead of using the power supply of the lighting panel.

208 214 150 150 208 212 216 132 134 133 212 216 208 244 244 208 104 102 IN The power supplyand the control modulemay be configured to control the amount of power delivered to an electrical load, such as, the LED light engine, and thus the intensity of the electrical load. The LED light engineis shown as a plurality of LEDs connected in series but may comprise a single LED or a plurality of LEDs connected in parallel or a suitable combination thereof, depending on the particular lighting system. The power supplymay comprise a first input terminal(e.g., a hot terminal) and a second input terminal(e.g., a neutral terminal) that are adapted to be coupled to a power source (not shown), e.g., via the AC line feed, the DC line feed, and/or the battery bank feed. The first and second input terminals,may be configured to receive an input voltage V, e.g., an AC mains input voltage or a DC input voltage. The power supplyalso includes a power supply control circuit, however in some examples, the power supply control circuitmay be omitted and, for example, the power supplymay be controlled entirely by the panel control circuitof the lighting panel.

208 204 206 202 218 204 204 212 216 206 212 216 206 212 216 208 IN RECT IN IN The power supplymay comprise a radio-frequency (RFI) filter circuit, a rectifier circuit, a boost converter, and/or a ripple detect circuit. The RFI filter circuitmay minimize the noise provided on the AC mains. The rectifier circuitmay be a dynamic rectifier circuit configured to change its operation in response to whether an AC voltage or a DC voltage is present at the input terminals,. The rectifier circuitmay be configured to rectify the input voltage Vto generate a rectified voltage Vwhen the input terminals are connected to an AC power source and an AC voltage is present at the input terminals,. The rectifier circuitmay be configured to pass through the input voltage V(e.g., not rectify the input voltage V) when the input terminals are connected to a DC power source and a DC voltage is present at the input terminals,of the power supply.

202 202 202 208 208 202 RECT BUS BUS IN The boost convertermay receive the rectified voltage Vand generate a boosted DC bus voltage Vacross a bus capacitor C(e.g., an electrolytic capacitor). The boost convertermay comprise any suitable power converter circuit for generating an appropriate bus voltage, such as, for example, a flyback converter, a single-ended primary-inductor converter (SEPIC), a Cuk converter, or other suitable power converter circuit. The boost convertermay operate as a PFC circuit to adjust the power factor of the power supplytowards a power factor of one. The power supplymay comprise an input capacitor C(e.g., a film capacitor) coupled across the input of the boost converter. Examples of boost converters are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,492,987, issued Jul. 23, 2013, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,680,787, issued Mar. 25, 2014, both entitled LOAD CONTROL DEVICE FOR A LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE LIGHT SOURCE, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

214 230 240 230 150 150 230 230 150 The control modulemay comprise a load regulation circuitand/or a current sense circuit. The load regulation circuitmay receive the bus voltage VBus and control the amount of power delivered to the LED light engine, for example, to control the intensity of the LED light engine. An example of the load regulation circuitmay be an isolated, half-bridge forward converter. An example of a forward converter is described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 9,253,829, issued Feb. 2, 2015, entitled LOAD CONTROL DEVICE FOR A LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE LIGHT SOURCE, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The load regulation circuitmay comprise, for example, a buck converter, a linear regulator, or any suitable LED drive circuit for adjusting the intensity of the LED light engine.

244 202 208 244 202 244 202 BUS-CNTL BUS BUS-TARGET BUS-FB BUS The power supply control circuitmay be configured to control the operation of the boost converterof the power supply. For example, the power supply control circuitmay generate a bus voltage control signal V, which may be provided to the boost converterfor adjusting the magnitude of the bus voltage Vtowards a target bus voltage V. The power supply control circuitmay receive a bus voltage feedback control signal Vfrom the boost converter, which may indicate the magnitude of the bus voltage V.

214 254 230 214 150 150 150 254 254 230 244 208 254 214 244 254 244 254 200 DR1 DR2 DR1 DR2 LOAD LOAD TRGT CINV ON DR1 DR2 LOAD LOAD V-LOAD V-LOAD LOAD The control modulemay comprise a module control circuit, which may generate drive control signals V, V. The drive control signals V, Vmay be provided to the load regulation circuitof the control modulefor adjusting the magnitude of a load voltage Vgenerated across the LED light engineand the magnitude of a load current Iconducted through the LED light engine, for example, to control the intensity of the LED light engineto a target intensity L. The module control circuitmay adjust an operating frequency fop and/or a duty cycle D(e.g., an on time T) of the drive control signals V, Vto adjust the magnitude of the load voltage Vand/or the load current I. The module control circuitmay receive a load voltage feedback signal Vgenerated by the load regulation circuit. The load voltage feedback signal Vmay indicate the magnitude of the load voltage V. The power supply control circuitof the power supplymay operate independently of the module control circuitof the control module. In addition, the power supply control circuitmay be configured to communicate with the module control circuitto allow the power supply control circuitand the module control circuitto work together to control the operation of the system.

240 214 230 240 254 240 254 240 254 150 254 150 150 254 150 SENSE SENSE LOAD CHOP I-LOAD AVE LOAD I-LOAD DR1 DR2 DR1 DR2 LOAD TRGT TRGT LOAD V-LOAD I-LOAD LOAD TRGT I-LOAD The current sense circuitof the control modulemay receive a sense voltage Vgenerated by the load regulation circuit. The sense voltage Vmay indicate the magnitude of the load current I. The current sense circuitmay receive a signal-chopper control signal Vfrom the module control circuit. The current sense circuitmay generate a load current feedback signal V, which may be a DC voltage indicating the average magnitude Iof the load current I. The module control circuitmay receive the load current feedback signal Vfrom the current sense circuitand control the drive control signals V, Vaccordingly. For example, the module control circuitmay control the drive control signals V, Vto adjust a magnitude of the load current Ito a target load current Ito thus control the intensity of the LED light engineto the target intensity L(e.g., using a control loop). The module control circuitmay be configured to determine a load power Ppresently being consumed by the LED light engineusing the load voltage feedback signal Vand the load current feedback signal V. The load current Imay be the current that is conducted through the LED light engine. The target load current Imay be the current that the module control circuitwould ideally like to conduct through the LED light engine(e.g., based at least on the load current feedback signal V).

208 218 212 216 244 212 216 212 216 218 RECT RIP-DET RECT RIP-DET IN BUS The power supplymay also comprise a ripple detect circuit, which may receive the rectified voltage Vand may generate a ripple detect signal Vthat may indicate whether AC ripple is present or not on the rectified voltage V(e.g., whether an AC voltage or a DC voltage, respectively is coupled to the input terminals,). The power supply control circuitmay receive the ripple detect signal Vand may operate in an AC mode if an AC voltage is coupled to the input terminals,or a DC mode if a DC voltage is coupled to the input terminals,. The ripple detect circuitmay also be coupled to receive the input voltage Vand/or the bus voltage V.

208 218 244 202 208 244 218 244 202 208 BUS BUS BUS BUS BUS-MAX The power supplymay also comprise a controllable switching circuit(e.g., including a MOSFET) electrically coupled in series with the bus capacitor Cfor disconnecting the bus capacitor. When operating in the AC mode, the power supply control circuitmay enable the operation of the boost converterof the power supplyto generate the bus voltage Vacross the bus capacitor C. The power supply control circuitmay render the controllable switching circuitconductive and may control the magnitude of the bus voltage Vto a maximum magnitude V(e.g., approximately 465 volts). The power supply control circuitmay also operate the boost converteras a PFC circuit during the AC mode to adjust the power factor of the power supplytowards a power factor of one.

244 202 208 202 212 216 244 202 208 202 244 218 BUS BUS-MIN BUS When operating in the DC mode, the power supply control circuitmay be configured to disable the operation of the boost converterto reduce the power loss in the power supplydue to the power loss in the boost converter when enabled. When disabled, the boost convertermay pass through the DC voltage from the input terminals,and the bus voltage Vmay have a minimum magnitude V(e.g., approximately 380 volts). When operating in the DC mode, the power supply control circuitmay be configured to enable the boost converterduring a startup routine of the power supplyand disable the boost converterduring normal operation. Further, the power supply control circuitmay render the controllable switching circuitconductive to disconnect the bus capacitor Cin the DC mode since the bus capacitor may not be required when the DC voltage is present at the input terminals.

202 244 202 BUS-TARGET Rather than disabling the boost converterin the DC mode, the power supply control circuitmay also scale back the operation of the boost converter (e.g., reduce the target bus voltage V) in order to reduce the losses in the boost converter.

214 230 208 100 208 212 216 FILM BUS BUS BUS The control modulemay also comprise a capacitor C(e.g., a film capacitor) coupled across the input of the load regulation circuitfor supplying high-frequency current that may be required to circulate through the load regulation circuit. Since the bus capacitor Cmay comprise one or more electrolytic capacitors, disconnecting the bus capacitor Cof the power supplymay increase the lifetime of the LED driver. In addition, disconnecting the bus capacitor Cmay reduce an inrush current conducted by the power supplywhen power is applied to the input terminals,.

244 202 150 244 150 244 245 150 244 150 244 244 150 244 150 LOAD TH BUS-TARGET LOAD LOAD BUS-TARGET BUS-MIN BUS-MAX LOAD TH BUS-TARGET BUS-TARGET TRGT TRGT BUS-TARGET V-LOAD I-LOAD LOAD TRGT TRGT LOAD TH The power supply control circuitmay also enable the operation of the boost converterin the DC mode when the power Prequired by LED light engineexceeds a threshold amount P(e.g., approximately 80%). In addition, the power supply control circuitmay also be configured to control the target bus voltage Vas a function of the power Prequired by LED light engine(e.g., if the power supply control circuitis configured to communicate with the module control circuitto determine the power Prequired by LED light engine). The power supply control circuitmay be configured to adjust the target bus voltage Vlinearly between the minimum magnitude Vand the maximum magnitude Vwhen the power Prequired by LED light engineis above the threshold amount P. The power supply control circuitmay be configured to control the target bus voltage Vusing open loop control, for example, by using a lookup table to determine the target bus voltage Vin response to the target intensity Land/or target load current I. The power supply control circuitmay also be configured to control the target bus voltage Vusing closed loop control, for example, by using the load voltage feedback signal Vand the load current feedback signal Vto determine the power Prequired by LED light engine. The power supply control circuitcould also be configured to learn the target intensity Land/or target load current Iat which the power Prequired by LED light engineexceeds the threshold amount P(e.g., during a startup routine).

3 FIG. 314 314 330 340 314 214 330 230 214 340 240 214 is a simplified block diagram of an example load regulation circuit (e.g., a forward converter) and current sense circuit of an example control module. The control modulemay include a forward converterand/or a current sense circuit. The control modulemay be an example of the control module, the forward convertermay be an example of the load regulation circuitof the control module, and the current sense circuitmay be an example of the current sense circuitof the control module.

330 310 312 310 312 254 310 312 318 254 254 150 254 INV BUS DR1 DR2 DR1 DR2 DR1 DR2 INV OP HE INV INV TRGT INV INV AVE LOAD TRGT LOAD MAX MIN The forward convertermay comprise a half-bridge inverter circuit having two field effect transistors (FETs) Q, Qfor generating a high-frequency inverter voltage Vfrom the bus voltage V. The FETs Q, Qmay be rendered conductive and non-conductive in response to the drive control signals V, V. The drive control signals V, Vmay be received from the module control circuit. The drive control signals V, Vmay be coupled to the gates of the respective FETs Q, Qvia a gate drive circuit(e.g., which may comprise part number L6382DTR, manufactured by ST Microelectronics). The module control circuitmay generate the inverter voltage Vat a constant operating frequency for (e.g., approximately 60-65 kHz) and thus a constant operating period T. However, the operating frequency for may be adjusted under certain operating conditions. For example, the operating frequency fop may be decreased near the high-end intensity L. The module control circuitmay be configured to adjust a duty cycle DCof the inverter voltage Vto control the intensity of an LED light enginetowards the target intensity L. The module control circuitmay adjust the duty cycle DCof the inverter voltage Vto adjust the magnitude (e.g., the average magnitude I) of the load current Itowards the target load current I. The magnitude of the load current Imay vary between a maximum rated current Iand a minimum rated current I.

INV PRI TURNS 1 2 SENSE P1 P2 P3 LOAD 320 316 320 322 320 310 312 320 320 324 324 150 326 328 The inverter voltage Vis coupled to the primary winding of a transformerthrough a DC-blocking capacitor C(e.g., which may have a capacitance of approximately 0.047 μF), such that a primary voltage Vis generated across the primary winding. The transformermay be characterized by a turns ratio n(i.e., N/N), which may be approximately 115:29. A sense voltage Vmay be generated across a sense resistor R, which may be coupled in series with the primary winding of the transformer. The FETs Q, Qand the primary winding of the transformermay be characterized by parasitic capacitances C, C, C, respectively. The secondary winding of the transformermay generate a secondary voltage. The secondary voltage may be coupled to the AC terminals of a full-wave diode rectifier bridgefor rectifying the secondary voltage generated across the secondary winding. The positive DC terminal of the rectifier bridgemay be coupled to the LED light enginethrough an output energy-storage inductor L(e.g., which may have an inductance of approximately 10 mH), such that the load voltage Vmay be generated across an output capacitor C(e.g., which may have a capacitance of approximately 3 μF).

340 342 332 334 340 336 332 334 336 338 336 254 340 I-LOAD SENSE CHOP IN The current sense circuitmay comprise an averaging circuit for producing the load current feedback signal V. The averaging circuit may comprise a low-pass filter comprising a capacitor C(e.g., which may have a capacitance of approximately 0.066 μF) and a resistor R(e.g., which may have a resistance of approximately 3.32 k Ω). The low-pass filter may receive the sense voltage Vvia a resistor R(e.g., which may have a resistance of approximately 1 k Ω). The current sense circuitmay comprise a transistor Qcoupled between the junction of the resistors R, Rand circuit common. The gate of the transistor Qmay be coupled to circuit common through a resistor R(e.g., which may have a resistance of approximately 22 k Ω). The gate of the transistor Qmay receive the signal-chopper control signal Vfrom the module control circuit. An example of the current sense circuitmay be described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/834,153, filed Mar. 15, 2013, entitled FORWARD CONVERTER HAVG A PRIMARY-SIDE CURRENT SENSE CIRCUIT, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

4 FIG. DC DC DC DC DC DC 102 400 114 102 114 114 is an example of a timing diagram of a DC voltage Vgenerated by a control module of a lighting panel (e.g., the lighting panel) for provide power and communicating digital messages to an electrical load. The timing diagramillustrates an example data pattern of a transmitted digital message carried via the DC voltage V. The DC voltage Vand the data pattern may be generated by a control module (e.g., the driver module) of the lighting panel. For example, the driver modulemay be configured to pulse-width modulate (PWM) the DC voltage Vto introduce a reference edge and a data edge into the DC voltage V. The time period between successive reference edges may be consistent and may define a communication time period. The communication time period may be static or adjustable based on the electrical load. Digital information (e.g., bits of the transmitted digital messages) may be encoded in the PWM duty cycle of the DC voltage V. For example, the bits of the transmitted digital messages may be encoded in the firing time of a data edge (e.g., a data edge time) of the driver moduleas measured with respect to a firing time of a reference edge (e.g., a reference edge time). In other words, the bits of the transmitted digital messages may be encoded as a function of the firing times of the reference and data edges.

OS WIN OS1 OS2 OS3 OS4 DC OS1 OS OS2 OS3 OS4 4 FIG. The value of the digital data transmitted by the control module may be dependent upon an offset time period T(i.e., a difference) between the data edge and the previous reference edge. The control module may control the data edges to be at one of four times across the time window T, thus resulting in one of four offset time periods T, T, T, T, from the previous reference edge, such that two bits may be transmitted each communication time period. To transmit bits “00”, the control module may be configured operable to pulse width modulate the DC voltage Vat the first possible data edge time, such that the first offset time period Texists between the reference edge and the data edge. For example, each of the possible data edge times may be an offset period difference ΔTapart. The control module may be configured to control the offset time period Tos between the reference edge and the data edge to the second offset time period Tto transmit bits “01”, to the third offset time period Tto transmit bits “10”, and the fourth offset time period Tto transmit bits “11”, for example, as shown in.

150 102 OS OS1 OS2 OS3 OS4 OS WIN WIN DC To decode the data, a control circuit (e.g., microprocessor) of each electrical load (e.g., LED light engine, accessory module, etc.) may determine if the offset time period Tof each data pattern is approximately equal to one of the four offset time periods T, T, T, Twithin a default tolerance ΔT, which may be equal to, for example, approximately fifty microseconds. Alternatively, the number of data edges possible in the time window Tcould be greater than four (e.g., eight) in order to transmit more than two bits of data during each communication time period. The control modules of the lighting panelmay be configured to set the communication time period and number of data edges possible in each time window Tsuch that, for example, the electrical load is operable across its entire range when receiving just a portion of the full DC voltage V(e.g., the communication time period minus the entire time window).

DC DC DC OS1 RWIN RWIN RWIN WIN WIN RWIN 102 When the control module is not transmitting a digital message to the electrical load, the control module may provide a fully conductive DC voltage V. Accordingly, the DC voltage Vwould not have at least one reference edge in each communication cycle when the control module is not transmitting a digital message to the electrical load. Alternatively, the control module may pulse width modulate the DC voltage Vat the first data edge (e.g., at T), as if the control module was continuously transmitting bits “00.” Further, an accessory module may be configured to respond to the control module in a similar fashion. For example, a response time window Tmay be used where, for example, the offset time period Tos between a reference edge and a data edge in the response time window Tis used to determine the response communication performed by the accessory module. The response time window Tmay be smaller in duration than the time window T, for example, since less information may need to be transmitted from the accessory module to the control module in the lighting panel. Alternatively, every other time window Tmay be used as the response time window T.

4 FIG. The system utilizing the methods shown inallows for reuse of existing building wiring to accommodate new lighting fixtures as only two wires are required between the lighting panel and lighting fixtures. For example, this legacy configuration of wiring may exist between traditional dimming panels and the traditional lighting loads, such as incandescent bulbs.

As no new wires are required between the lighting panel location and the fixture location, this new system provides an opportunity for system upgrades without pulling new wires.

5 FIG. 500 102 500 500 104 500 is an example flowchart of a power supply classification detection procedureperformed by an electrical panel, such as the lighting panel. The electrical panel may detect (e.g., automatically detect) the rated class type of one or more power supplies of the electrical panel. For example, the rated class types may include, but are not limited to, Low Voltage Class 2, Low Voltage Class 1, and High Voltage Class 1. Although the detection procedureis described with reference to the Low Voltage Class 2, the Low Voltage Class 1, and the High Voltage Class 1 class types, the detection proceduremay detect any combination or type of rated class types of power supplies. Further, it should be appreciated that a panel control circuit (e.g., the panel control circuit) and/or one or more of the power supplies themselves may perform the detection procedure.

510 520 The electrical panel may set N=0 at, where NMAX is the total number of power supplies of the electrical panel (e.g., the total number of adjustable/configurable power supplies of the electrical panel). At, the electrical panel may determine the rated class of the power supply N. The electrical panel may determine the rated class of the power supply, for example, based on the control modules and/or electrical loads that are connected to the power supply, and in turn, the desired operational characteristics of the power supply. For example, the power supply and/or the panel control circuit may be configured to measure the amount of current, voltage, and/or power requested on the link, e.g., at the output terminals of the power supply, to determine its desired class type. Alternatively or additionally, a control module and/or electrical load (e.g., an accessory module located at the electrical load) may communicate (e.g., by transmitting a digital or analog message) to the power supply and/or panel control circuit indicating its power requirements, such as an amount of power needed, type of dimming required, etc.

520 530 540 138 500 540 500 510 550 560 500 After determining the rated class of the power supply N at, the electrical panel may configured the power supply N to operate according to the rated class at. For example, the electrical panel may configure the power supply to control (e.g., limit) its output power accordingly (e.g., operate as a Low Voltage Class 2 power supply, a Low Voltage Class 1 power supply, a High Voltage Class 1 power supply, etc.). At, the electrical panel may send a notification (e.g., an alert and/or report) of the rated class type of the power supply N. For example, the panel control circuit may send a notification of the rated class type of the power supply N to a network or system administration (e.g., via the gateway device). Further, in instances where the detection procedureis performed by the power supplies themselves, the power supply N may send a notification to the panel control circuit atindicating its rated class type. Further, in instances where the detection procedureis performed by the power supplies themselves,,, andof the detection proceduremay be omitted.

550 560 520 540 550 500 500 104 MAX MAX At, the electrical panel may determine whether the N=N. If the electrical panel determines that N is less than NMAX, then the electrical panel may increment N by 1 at, and repeat-for a subsequent power supply. If the electrical panel determines that N=Nat, then the detection proceduremay exit. The electrical panel may perform the detection procedureat start-up and/or periodically throughout operation. For example, the electrical panel may be configured to adjust the class type of a power supply after installation. For instance, the a particular power supply may be initially configured to operate as a Class 1 power supply (e.g., a High Voltage Class 1 power supply), and later be configured (e.g., by the panel control circuit) to operate as another class of power supply (e.g., as a Low Voltage Class 2 power supply provided that the proper redundancy exists).

102 134 133 As noted herein, an electrical panel, such as the lighting panel, may be connected to one or more DC power sources via the DC line feedand/or via the battery bank feed.

132 The DC power sources may include any combination of an alternative energy sources, such as a PV power supply, a wind turbine system, a hydroelectric system, a battery bank, etc. The electrical panel may include a grid-tie inverter (e.g., or, for example, the grid-tie inverter may be connected to the electrical panel but external to the electrical panel). The grid-tie inverter may be electrically connected between the DC line feed (e.g., and/or the battery bank feed) and the AC line feed.

The grid-tie inverter may be configured to receive DC power via the DC line feed, convert the DC power to AC power, and provide the AC power to the AC line feed (e.g., and ultimately to an external electrical grid). The electrical panel may sell a portion or all of the DC power received from one or more DC power sources back to the electrical grid, for example, after using a portion of the DC power for powering one or more electrical loads. The amount or percentage of DC power sold back to the electrical grid may be determined by the electrical panel using a grid-tie inverter control procedure.

6 FIG. 600 102 104 600 610 134 133 620 100 DC-IN EL EL is an example of a grid-tie inverter control procedureperformed by an electrical panel, such as the lighting panel. The electrical panel (e.g., the panel control circuit) may perform the grid-tie inverter control procedurecontinuously or periodically, for example, at scheduled times of the day, whenever an electrical load is adjusted (e.g., turned on or off), and/or in response to an input from a system administrator. At, the electrical panel may determine (e.g., measure) the amount of DC input power Pthat is received via the DC line feedand/or via the battery bank feedfrom the one or more DC power sources. At, the electrical panel may determine the amount of power Prequested by the electrical loads of the electrical panel (e.g., the power supplies). The power requested by the electrical loads Pmay vary continuously, for example, in response to other inputs into the load control system (e.g., the load control system), such as via remote control devices, occupancy/vacancy sensors, daylight sensors, etc.

DC-IN DC-IN EL AC AC 630 600 The electrical panel may then determine how much DC input power Pto use versus to sell back to the electrical grid based on one or more factors. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the amount of DC input power P, the amount of power Prequested by the electrical loads of the electrical panel, environmental conditions, such as weather, whether the electrical panel is receiving AC input power P(e.g., whether there is an outage), a price index of AC input power P, the time of day, the day of the week, the month of the year, the location of the electrical panel, etc. For example, atof the grid-tie inverter control procedure, the electrical panel may determine the factors that are associated with the sale of AC power to the electrical grid. The factors may be static or may adjust, for example, based on settings received from a system administrator. The factors may also be weighted.

640 150 EL EL EL AC EL AC AC At, the electrical panel may determine to adjust (e.g., lower) the power Pprovided to one or more electrical loads (e.g., dim one or more LED light engines) based on the determined factors. The electrical panel may determine to lower the power Pprovided to the electrical loads within a window of acceptance. For example, the electrical panel may determine to lower the power Psuch that the electrical panel limits the amount of received AC input power P(e.g., potentially doesn't receive any AC power). The electrical panel may determine to lower the power P, for example, in instances where the price index of AC input power Pexceeds a threshold, on particular days of the week and/or times of the day, where there is an outage and the electrical panel isn't receiving any AC input power P, and/or the like.

650 660 DC-IN EL EL DC-IN DC-IN At, the electrical panel may determine whether to sell any DC input power Pto back to the electrical grid. For example, if the electrical panel determines that the amount of power P(e.g., the adjust P) is less than the amount of DC input power P, then the electrical panel may sell any excess DC input power Pback to the grid at.

EL EL DC-IN DC-IN AC DC-IN DC-IN AC EL EL DC-IN DC-IN 670 133 If, for example, the electrical panel determines that the amount of power P(e.g., the adjust P) is equal to or exceeds the amount of DC input power P, then, at, the electrical panel may determine to use all of the DC input power Pto meet the request of the loads and, to the extent necessary, also use AC input power P. By using all of the DC input power P, the electrical panel may avoid a double conversion (e.g., converting DC input power Pto AC for sale, and converting AC input power Pto DC for use by the electrical loads). Further, even if the electrical panel determines that the amount of power P(e.g., the adjust P) is equal to or exceeds the amount of DC input power P, the electrical panel may still determine, based on the determined factors, to store all or a portion of the DC input power Pin the battery banks via the battery bank feed.

150 160 102 Although described with reference to the LED light enginesand the motorized window treatments, one or more embodiments described herein may be used with other electrical loads and load control devices. For example, one or more of the embodiments described herein may be performed by a variety of load control devices that are configured to control a variety of electrical load types, such as, for example, a screw-in luminaire including a dimmer circuit and an incandescent or halogen lamp; a screw-in luminaire including a ballast and a compact fluorescent lamp; a screw-in luminaire including an LED driver and an LED light source; a dimming circuit for controlling the intensity of an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, an electronic low-voltage lighting load, a magnetic low-voltage lighting load, or another type of lighting load; an electronic switch, controllable circuit breaker, or other switching device for turning electrical loads or appliances on and off; a plug-in load control device, controllable electrical receptacle, or controllable power strip for controlling one or more plug-in electrical loads (e.g., coffee pots, space heaters, other home appliances, and the like); a motor control unit for controlling a motor load (e.g., a ceiling fan or an exhaust fan); a drive unit for controlling a motorized window treatment or a projection screen; motorized interior or exterior shutters; a thermostat for a heating and/or cooling system; a temperature control device for controlling a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system; an air conditioner; a compressor; an electric baseboard heater controller; a controllable damper; a humidity control unit; a dehumidifier; a water heater; a pool pump; a refrigerator; a freezer; a television or computer monitor; a power supply; an audio system or amplifier; a generator; an electric charger, such as an electric vehicle charger; and an alternative energy controller (e.g., a solar, wind, or thermal energy controller). A lighting panelmay be coupled to and/or adapted to control multiple types of electrical loads in a load control system.